Monday, September 15, 2014

You won't even believe this....

Last week is one I'd like to pretty much erase. Two "F's". A funeral and a fall. My sweet friend Nicki died quickly and unexpectedly at 43, leaving behind her husband and two children. And although it's difficult to imagine her not being nearby, I know I'll see her in heaven someday. Her faith is an assurance of that. The other "F" was much more close to home. In fact, it was here at home that DH's fall occurred. At age 77, with all hips and knees replaced, his mobility isn't the greatest, but until a few months ago, he had done just fine. Less than 10 minutes after coming back from Nicki's visitation, he tumbled down the basement stairs and landed on the cement floor. Thankfully, he doesn't remember the fall. After a call to 911, and a trip to the ER, it turns out that he's a pretty tough bird. Nothing broken, no brain bleed, and no concussion. He's stiff, bruised, and sore, but all things considered, he's doing really well. God was really watching out for him! Needless to say, I wasn't doing any crafting (or much of anything else either). Since he's SAFELY ensconced in the recliner in the room next to me, I decided to craft this afternoon rather than continue the "shift" of his office. No more stairs for him (his office is upstairs and contains enough books to start a library, among all of his other professorial goodies....). So...

Since the card I started for Muse last week pretty much sat on my desk until this morning, I decided to check the current challenge there, and see if I had any mojo. One look at Marion Vagg's card and I really hopeful that Mr. Mojo would appear. I'm pretty happy with what I created. First, see this lovely, CAS card of Marion's...


Love this! It's just so beautiful!! So much inspiration; had to play along with Muse this week!

My eyes went right to the design, colors, and flowers of Marion's card and here's my take:




And....since these are brand-spankin' new stamps and dies, I'm popping this into Darnell's super fun NBUS Challenge too! Everything is from Reverse Confetti. I used various inks and Neenah white cardstock. Now I have to check on my "patient," and then get a few more things done around here. It's good to be back though. I've missed you all. And btw....thanks so very much for your sweet comments, and your encouragement on my PCL guest gig. You're the best!! Happy dances everyone!

43 comments:

Judy1223 said...

Bev, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, she was so young. I will keep her and her family in my thoughts and prayers. I will also pray for your husband's quick recovery after his fall...how scary, but how amazing that he was OK after such a serious fall.

Even with all that you have going on, you still managed to make a beautiful card for the MUSE challenge. It is a clean and simple classic, a definite go-to design.

Take good care, Bev!

Anita in France said...

You know how much I'm thinking of you and keeping you all in my prayers, Bev ... good to hear John is doing a little better. Delighted to see one of your gorgeous cards ... this is a stunner, so full of colour and energy ... and yummy polka dots ... soooo delicious! Hugs, Anita :)

Ardyth said...

Gorgeous card, Bev! I hope it helped cheer you up a little after the rough (understatement!) week you've had! Thanks for joining us at Muse this week!

Lyn said...

Sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and hope DH is mending well. Love your card

Lynn said...

Oh my goodness Bev. I'm so very sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend, Nikki. I will certainly keep her in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so thankful your dear hubby is okay as well. You need a break. Your card is gorgeous. I love those RC flowers.

Deepti said...

So sorry to hear about ur loss and the rough week that u have had :) u will be in my thoughts. But I sure this pretty card must have brought some relief !!

Susanne Vargas said...

Bev, I am so sorry to hear about your young friend! How awful! Glad that your husband didn't break anything or worse during his fall! Hope he is healing quickly!
Despite all of this you made such a cheerful, pretty card! Such a great take on the Muse!

Darnell said...

Your take on Marion's card couldn't be better, Bev! You really captured the colors and splendor of her autumn card!!

It's smart to move DH's office, but you must promise me that you will pace yourself so you don't injure something of your own. All your bits and pieces are precious to us!! Hugs, Darnell

Darnell said...

Oh, I got so worried about you, I forgot to thank you for linking this beautiful card with my second NBUS Challenge! Mwah! Darnell

Kim Heggins said...

Oh my....that is just way too many "F"'s if you ask me! Sending lots of prayers your way, for the loss of your sweet friend and for John and you too. Your card is so so sweet. I love those beautiful flowers and the colors are so sweet too. Take it easy!

wienerhoneymooners said...

So glad sweet Bev that DH is safe and sound...and that he is tough and can dodge it right good!... and the other... and 43...GULP ..younger than me...yikes. So glad you got crafty. Brilliance in blossoms this card is!!!!
Love the bright HAPPY colors!!!

Kelly Griglione said...

Oh dear, Bev, I'm so sorry to hear about your week. I'm 43 with 2 kids and I can't even imagine ... I hope her husband has a lot of support. And I'm so relieved your husband didn't have a worse outcome.

I'm happy to see that through it all you managed to create quite a cheerful card! Big hugs!

Maureen Hayes said...

Bev,

I am one of your new followers who found you through your post at PCL. I am so sorry to hear about your friend's death and your husband's fall. I am glad your hubby wasn't more seriously hurt and grateful you are able to be there to nurse him back to health. I will keep you all in my prayers, as well a your friends family. Your card is beautiful and I am amazed that you were able to turn out such a happy and cheerful one after the week you've had, it says tons about your spirit!

Hang in there and know you are being lifted up in prayer,
Maureen

Marybeth said...

Oh my gosh, Bev! I am so very sorry. 43 is way too young and with kids , so sad for the ones left behind. I am sorry about your husbands fall, how scary oh my what a week!
This crafting sure is a blessing and your card proves it! Such a beautiful happy card and with your NBUS!
Big hugs from Rancho Cucamonga! You are in my prayers dear.

Patti said...

Oh! Bev I am sorry for your loss and also for the terrible scare you all had when your DH fell. I am so blessed to hear he did no serious damage and I will pray for his speedy recovery!

Your card just pops! I love everything about it! : )

(((Hugs))) friend

Patti

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear that your husband didn't break any bones and so sorry to hear about your friend too... sounds like a bad week all round. I'm sending hugs your way x ps your take on Marion's card is uber cool!

Hannelie said...

A lovely collection of flowers Bev!
add all the white space on this one stole my heart... on the spot!
So sad about your friend... and hubby's fall... wish I was closer to lend a hand!
HUGS to you!

Kylie said...

Oh Bev, you have had a tough time of late. I am so sorry to read of the passing of your friend Nikki! So very sad. I do hope John is mending well after his fall. I'm pleased you've been able to spend some time creating as that will definitely help. It's such therapy at times, isn't it? Your card is simple lovely. I thought the sweet flowers were diecuts at first. They look amazing too.

And happy birthday, Miss Bev! Wishing you every happiness now and always. :)

Kristie Goulet said...

So very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend and your husband's fall. Will be praying for the family and for your husband's recovery. Very thankful for no broken bones, etc... Your card is stunning!

Happy Birthday to you too!! Have a blessed day!

Joyce said...

So sorry to hear about your friend, and grateful that your husband's fall did not injure him too badly. Definitely not a great way to start your birthday week, or any week for that matter. Your card is stunning--just sweet as can be. I hope you have a better day today--and that your day is filled with joyful celebration on the occasion of your birthday. Happy Birthday.

Keren Baker said...

So sorry Bev- what a difficult week all round. Glad you have hope of seeing your friend in Heaven! Hope hubby is healing quickly. Hoping that events today at least give you a little smile x

Colleen said...

Bev, I am so sorry for you and the family of your friend Nicki, and then the fall of your DH? Oh, what a week you had, but the Good Lord gave you a little bit of heaven when the skies opened and you had time and inspiration to make that gorgeous card! Well done on the Muse! Take care of yourself too! And Happy Birthday!!

Sarah G said...

So sorry to hear about your difficult week - the loss of a friend is such a sad time and I hope that your hubby makes a good recovery. You need to take it easy too.

Despite all of that I hope you have a fabulous birthday and enjoy all of the cards and happy thoughts being sent your way from across blogland :) I am doing a happy dance for your birthday!

Virginia L. said...

Sorry about your happenings lately, Bev! I hope things are improving every day, especially with your hubby's fall. Your card is absolutely delightful, great take from Marion's. AND HB2U, too! Wish you a special day that is full of love and laughter. Enjoy the simple moments...and I'm doing a happy dance for you, too(along with Sarah).

Chriss Blagrave said...

So sorry to hear about your tough week. I am sorry for your loss and your husband's fall. I am glad to hear that he did not have a worse outcome.
Your card is beautiful, lovely colours and a great composition...keep crafting, you are a brilliant artist!
Happy birthday for today. Enjoy the little things and keep dancing :)

shirley-bee said...

I came over to wish you happy birthday and find you had an awful week. So sorry to hear about your friend, but glad to hear DH isn't broken. Hope your birthday is happy.

Love your modern take on Marion's card :)

Geri said...

Hey there birthday girl! Hope you are enjoying a day full of birthday blog visits! You are one very special lady to a whole lot of people!

Now about this amazing card - absolutely my most favorite "Bev" card EVER! This is stunning! The colors are gorgeous! Your stamped images are perfect! Love the deep rich color you achieved. Without a doubt....winner, winner, winner!

Cornelia (fun stamping) said...

Happy Birthday, perhaps the coming year has many good things in store for you! Great card!

Brenda said...

Hi Bev, I found you through Darnell and hear that it is your birthday! Happy Birthday!!! I am so sorry to hear that you hubby took a tumble down the basement steps but very happy that he didn't injure himself. I'm sure though the battered body doesn't feel that way. Sounds like he has a great nurse to nurse him back to feeling great again. I was also sorry to hear about your friend passing. That is sad, but you are so right in that you will see her again one day. I will keep you all in my prayers. Now I have to tell you that I am following you on your blog, through email and bloglovin! lol I love, love your take on that beautiful card. Love the bright, cheery colors and love those flowers. What a great CASE!! Hugs, Brenda

Diane said...

Bev, I am so very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend and your husbands accident. Through Darnell I hear it is your birthday, Happy Birthday to you.

Hugs Diane

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear about your loss and the rough week that you have had. I will keep you in my prayers :-)Its nice to have a hobby that helps give us some relief to all the stress in our lives, beautiful card!

Jen Mitchell said...

My condolences on the loss of your friend. As you say you will meet again someday but for now your heart must be heavy. And then to top that off with a nasty spill for your husband. I hope that he is on the mend and that you will have smiles and happy dances in your life soon. Hugs, Jen.

Helen F. said...

Oh my,Bev. You had an awful week. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear friend. I hope your hubby is doing well after his fall. PS: Your card is absolutely beautiful, glad you were able to find some peace in your craft room. Thoughts, prayers and {{{HUGS}}}

Vicki Dutcher said...

You did have an awful week, but I bet the "Party" helped make it a little better~ Happy late, and I adore your inspired card by the Muse this week! Thanks for joining in at Muse!

Carole said...

Hearing your tale makes me appreciate all that is good. "F" is for friends and boy do you have a bunch of them. Darnell invited us to a party...yours...Happy Birthday Bev. Be well Carole

Barb Ghig said...

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend, Bev! My thoughts and prayers to her family. Also, I do hope your hubby heals quickly after his fall...what a week you've had!

And, with all that you've created such a gorgeous card! I love the fun, bright flowers and your CAS design is perfect!

I hope you had a wonderful birthday after all...you certainly have a lot of great friends here in blog land who love you dearly!!!

Patti said...

Hello Bev : )

Me again... I wanted to let you know your birthday card did not go postal until today... after the mail truck had left gulp! I could tell you all the reasons the dancing duo is tardy but in the end it would still be late : (

So suffice to say the happy couple is dancing their way to you. I hope they make you smile and I pray the Lord is blessing you and your family in every way.

(((Hugs)))
Patti

Martha said...

OH, Bev, I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend! And, I hope your husband makes a quick recovery. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

What a LOVELY take on Marion's card! I love the pretty colors & design.

Saw there was a BIG Celebration on your behalf. Happy Birthday to you! I had to join the party! ♥

Karen M said...

Your card is gorgeous Bev and I love all those sweet flowers:) I also wanted to wish you a very happy birthday...a am a little late but I hope thay you had a lovely time.

Sorry to hear about your friend and the fall - life sure is tough sometimes - hugs xx

Anonymous said...

Hey Bev!! Your card is a match for Marion's card. I love your flowers and the sentiment is cute. Nicely done.

Neets B said...

Bless you, it sounds like you've really been through it this last week. So sorry for your loss and I hope your hubby makes a speedy recovery. And belated happy birthday, sorry I'm so late to the party!

I love your card, I don't have any Reverse Confetti products, going on the wish list right now! x

Shona Chambers said...

What a terrible time you've had losing your friend so suddenly. And to then have your husband fall, what a shock. So glad to hear that he is doing well and no major damage. Hope your getting lots of help too from family to help you move that office. You made a gorgeous card for the Muse challenge, just love those sweet flowers with the polka dots. Looks like a winner in my book!

cm said...

Sweet friend: I'm so late in responding, as blogger has been playing with my mind again, but I hope you've been receiving the umpteen virtual hugs and 'power rays of positivity' I've been sending your way! My sympathy for the loss of your friend (so young...) and some extra TLC for you in taking care of your poor John. Good to hear that he's okay, and that you're being vigilant about him being ensconced in safe surroundings. Your card speaks volumes of how, in the midst of all this upheaval, you still remain upbeat and 'sunny'! You're a breath of fresh air...always! Hugs~c